Application association processing method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide an application association processing method and apparatus. The method includes: detecting a first operation instruction entered by a user; and when it is determined that the first operation instruction is to perform, by the user, a first preset operation on first content displayed on a display interface, displaying prompt information of second content associated with the first content, where the first preset operation is an operation gesture preset by the user, and the prompt information is used to inform the user that an association relationship exists between the first content and the second content.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/901,557, filed on Dec. 28, 2015, which is a National Stage ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/CN2014/083512, filed on Aug. 1,2014. The International Patent application claims priority to ChinesePatent Application No. 201310382155.1, filed on Aug. 28, 2013. All ofthe aforementioned patent applications are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to communications technologies, and inparticular, to an application association processing method andapparatus.

BACKGROUND

With the innovation of communications technologies, touchscreen terminaldevices such as mobile phones and tablets also tend to develop rapidly.Researches show that over ten thousand new devices are activatedworldwide on a daily basis; therefore, applications used on thesedevices are increasingly diversified and improved as user demands becomedifferent.

Applications can help a user know about news events, capture a note,engage in socialization, listen to music, have entertainment, playgames, and the like at any time. To meet a user demand, functionsprovided by current applications are increasingly improved anddiversified, and currently, many applications can all provide two forms:a widget and an application icon for a user to select and use. Anapplication icon is generally a main entry to enter the application, anda widget can display some functions of the application, for example, thewidget can make, by using a visual window, it convenient for a user tointuitively know about related functions provided by the application.For example, for a weather forecast application, a main interface of theweather forecast can be entered by using an application icon, and awidget can display information such as a temperature and a wind forcetoday on a desktop.

However, as functions of an application become increasingly powerful,the application includes increasing widgets, and user operationcomplexity is increased.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide an application associationprocessing method and apparatus, which can reduce user operationcomplexity.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides an application association processing method, including:

detecting a first operation instruction entered by a user; and

when it is determined that the first operation instruction is toperform, by the user, a first preset operation on first contentdisplayed on a display interface, displaying prompt information ofsecond content associated with the first content, where the first presetoperation is an operation gesture preset by the user, and the promptinformation is used to inform the user that an association relationshipexists between the first content and the second content, where

when the first content is an application icon, the second content is anicon of at least one widget included in an application corresponding tothe application icon; or

when the first content is an icon of a widget, the second content is anicon of an application to which the widget belongs.

In a first possible implementation manner, according to the firstaspect, before the detecting a first operation instruction entered by auser, the method further includes:

detecting a second operation instruction entered by the user; and

when the second operation instruction is to perform, by the user, asecond preset operation on the first content displayed on the displayinterface, switching the displayed first content to an editable state,where the second preset operation is an operation gesture preset forswitching the first content to the editable state, where

the detecting a first operation instruction entered by a user includes:

detecting the first operation instruction entered by the user for thefirst content in the editable state.

In a second possible implementation manner, with reference to the firstaspect and the first possible implementation manner, the first presetoperation includes:

a sliding operation within a preset area surrounding the first content.

In a third possible implementation manner, with reference to the firstaspect, the first possible implementation manner, and the secondpossible implementation manner, the displaying prompt information ofsecond content associated with the first content includes:

determining, according to an application package file, the secondcontent that has the association relationship with the first content,and displaying the prompt information of the second content, where theapplication package file is a source file of the first content and thesecond content.

In a fourth possible implementation manner, with reference to the firstaspect, the first possible implementation manner, the second possibleimplementation manner, and the third possible implementation manner, thedisplaying prompt information of second content associated with thefirst content includes:

displaying, in a form of a floating window, the prompt information ofthe second content associated with the first content.

In a fifth possible implementation manner, with reference to the firstaspect, the first possible implementation manner, the second possibleimplementation manner, the third possible implementation manner, and thefourth possible implementation manner, after the displaying promptinformation of second content associated with the first content, themethod further includes:

detecting a third operation instruction entered by the user; and

when the third operation instruction is to perform, by the user, a thirdpreset operation on the prompt information of the second content,displaying the second content on the display interface, where the thirdpreset operation is an operation gesture preset for displaying thesecond content.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present inventionprovides an application association processing apparatus, including:

a first detection unit, configured to detect a first operationinstruction entered by a user; and

a first processing unit, configured to: when it is determined that thefirst operation instruction is to perform, by the user, a first presetoperation on first content displayed on a display interface, displayprompt information of second content associated with the first content,where the first preset operation is an operation gesture preset by theuser, and the prompt information is used to inform the user that anassociation relationship exists between the first content and the secondcontent, where

when the first content is an application icon, the second content is anicon of at least one widget included in an application corresponding tothe application icon; or

when the first content is an icon of a widget, the second content is anicon of an application to which the widget belongs.

In a first possible implementation manner, according to the secondaspect, the apparatus further includes:

a second detection unit, configured to: before the first detection unitdetects the first operation instruction entered by the user, detect asecond operation instruction entered by the user; and

a second processing unit, configured to: when the second operationinstruction is to perform, by the user, a second preset operation on thefirst content displayed on the display interface, switch the displayedfirst content to an editable state, where the second preset operation isan operation gesture preset for switching the first content to theeditable state, where

the first detection unit is specifically configured to detect the firstoperation instruction entered by the user for the first content in theeditable state.

In a second possible implementation manner, with reference to the secondaspect and the first possible implementation manner, the second presetoperation includes: a sliding operation within a preset area surroundingthe first content.

In a third possible implementation manner, with reference to the secondaspect, the first possible implementation manner, and the secondpossible implementation manner, the first preset operation includes:

The first processing unit is specifically configured to: if it isdetermined that the first operation instruction is to perform, by theuser, the first preset operation on the first content displayed on thedisplay interface, determine, according to an application package file,the second content that has the association relationship with the firstcontent, and display the prompt information of the second content, wherethe application package file is a source file of the first content andthe second content.

In a fourth possible implementation manner, with reference to the secondaspect, the first possible implementation manner, the second possibleimplementation manner, and the third possible implementation manner, thefirst processing unit is specifically configured to display, in a formof a floating window, the prompt information of the second contentassociated with the first content.

In a fifth possible implementation manner, with reference to the secondaspect, the first possible implementation manner, the second possibleimplementation manner, the third possible implementation manner, and thefourth possible implementation manner, a third detection unit,configured to detect a third operation instruction entered by the user;and

a third processing unit, configured to: when it is determined that thethird operation instruction is to perform, by the user, a third presetoperation on the displayed prompt information of the second content,display the second content on the display interface, where the thirdpreset operation is an operation gesture preset for displaying thesecond content.

The embodiments of the present invention provide an applicationassociation processing method and apparatus. The application associationprocessing apparatus detects a first operation instruction entered by auser; and when it is determined that the first operation instruction isto perform, by the user, a first preset operation on first contentdisplayed on a display interface, displays prompt information of secondcontent associated with the first content, where the first presetoperation is an operation gesture preset by the user, and the promptinformation is used to inform the user that an association relationshipexists between the first content and the second content, where when thefirst content is an application icon, the second content is an icon ofat least one widget included in an application corresponding to theapplication icon; or when the first content is an icon of a widget, thesecond content is an icon of an application to which the widget belongs.In this way, an association between an application icon and a widget isindicated, and prompt information is displayed, so that a userconveniently knows an association relationship between the applicationicon and the widget, and the user performs a further operation accordingto the prompt information, thereby reducing user operation complexity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the presentinvention or in the prior art more clearly, the following brieflyintroduces the accompanying drawings required for describing theembodiments or the prior art. Apparently, the accompanying drawings inthe following description show merely some embodiments of the presentinvention, and persons of ordinary skill in the art may still deriveother drawings from these accompanying drawings without creativeefforts.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an embodiment of an application associationprocessing method according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of another applicationassociation processing method according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of still another applicationassociation processing method according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of anapplication association processing apparatus according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of anotherapplication association processing apparatus according to the presentinvention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of stillanother application association processing apparatus according to thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of theembodiments of the present invention clearer, the following clearly andcompletely describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of thepresent invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in theembodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the describedembodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the presentinvention. All other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skillin the art based on the embodiments of the present invention withoutcreative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the presentinvention.

The present invention is applicable to a touchscreen apparatus, and canalso be used in other apparatuses that have a touchscreen function andcan have an application installed therein. The embodiments of thepresent invention use an example in which an application associationprocessing apparatus is a touchscreen apparatus for description, but arenot limited thereto.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an embodiment of an application associationprocessing method according to the present invention. As shown in FIG.1, the method includes:

S101: An application association processing apparatus detects a firstoperation instruction entered by a user.

For example, a touchscreen apparatus detects a sliding operationinstruction entered by a user. For example, the touchscreen apparatusmay determine a specific implementation form of the first operationinstruction by using a position change of a touch point. For example,the first operation instruction is a curved sliding gesture or a gestureof quickly taping for multiple times, and the first operationinstruction may be detected according to a moving track or a movingmanner of the touch point, where the touch point is formed on atouchscreen during a touch operation of the user by using thermalcapacitance of a touching body or a falling point after pressing.

S102: When it is determined that the first operation instruction is toperform, by the user, a first preset operation on first contentdisplayed on a display interface, the application association processingapparatus displays prompt information of second content associated withthe first content.

For example, the first preset operation is an operation gesture presetby the user, and the prompt information is used to inform the user thatan association relationship exists between the first content and thesecond content. The first content is an application icon, and the secondcontent is an icon of at least one widget included in an applicationcorresponding to the application icon; or the first content is an iconof a widget, and the second content is an icon of an application towhich the widget belongs.

Further, the first preset operation may be a sliding operation within apreset area surrounding the first content. The sliding operation is anoperation that uses, as a start point, a position at which the firstcontent is located; or the sliding operation is an operation that uses,as a fixed point, a position at which the first content is located, anduses a preset area surrounding the first content as a sliding area.

For example, the application association processing apparatus may preseta first preset operation; and if the first operation instruction of theuser is the same as the first preset operation, it may be determinedthat the first operation instruction is input by the user for the firstcontent displayed on the display interface, and an objective of thefirst operation instruction is that the application associationprocessing apparatus displays the prompt information of the secondcontent associated with the first content.

Further, the first preset operation may be a sliding operation withinthe preset area surrounding the first content. For example, during asliding operation, the application association processing apparatus candetect multiple touch points; and start points of these touch points maybe all at the position of the first content, and subsequently, a fingerleaves the position of the first content and continues to move withinthe preset area; or one fixed point in these touch points is at theposition of the first content, and other moving points are at anypositions within the preset area surrounding the first content, and afinger moves within the preset area starting from the any positions.

For example, an area that uses the first content as a geometric centerand whose covering radius outward is 4 cm to 6 cm is the preset area,within the area starting from the first content, the user makes azoom-in gesture within the area by using two fingers, and theapplication association processing apparatus detects that a distancebetween the two touch points becomes longer, and the first presetoperation is the operation of the user; in this case, the applicationassociation processing apparatus may determine that the first operationinstruction is specific to the first content, and request to display theprompt information of the second content associated with the firstcontent. If the first content is an application icon, prompt informationof icons of all widgets included in an application corresponding to theapplication icon is displayed on the screen, for example, a floatingwindow of the screen; or if the first content is an icon of a widget,prompt information of an icon of an application to which the widgetbelongs is displayed on the screen, for example, a floating window ofthe screen.

For another example, it is determined that an area that uses the firstcontent as a geometric center and that covers all ranges of thetouchscreen outward is the preset area, the user performs an operationwithin the area by using three fingers, where one finger is always onthe first content, and the other two fingers make a zoom-in gesturewithin the area, and the application association processing apparatusdetects that one fixed point is on the first content and a distancebetween other two sliding touch points becomes longer, and the firstpreset operation is the operation of the user; in this case, theapplication association processing apparatus may determine that thefirst operation instruction is specific to the first content, and mayfurther determine that the first operation instruction requests todisplay the prompt information of the second content associated with thefirst content. If the first content is an application icon, promptinformation of icons of all widgets included in an applicationcorresponding to the application icon is displayed on the screen, forexample, a floating window of the screen; or if the first content is anicon of a widget, prompt information of an icon of an application towhich the widget belongs is displayed on the screen, for example, afloating window of the screen.

It should be noted that the first preset operation and the preset areaare both used as an example for description, but do not constitute anylimitation, and another operation gesture and different preset areasettings all fall within the protection scope. For example, the anotheroperation gesture is an operation of shortening a distance by using twofingers, or an operation of pressing and holding by using one finger,and shortening a distance by using other multiple fingers.

It should be noted that a widget encapsulates data and a method. Awidget is a basic visual component block and is included in anapplication, and each widget controls partial data processed by theapplication and an interactive operation related to the data. Forexample, for a weather forecast application, a widget may be a visualwindow for a temperature today, another widget may be a visual windowfor air quality, wearing reminding, and a high temperature or rainstormwarning, still another widget may be a visual window for a current roomtemperature, and the like. An icon of the widget may be a thumbnail, apartial screenshot, or the like of the visual window, or may be aframework icon of the widget.

However, an application icon is an entry to access the application toacquire all functions of the application, and may be considered as ashortcut that is commonly referred to as. By using the method providedby this embodiment, when a widget and an application icon need to beswitched, the user may select, by using a correspondence, which has beendetermined by the application association processing apparatus, betweena widget and an application icon, for example, one application iconcorresponds to several widgets, a widget or an application icon providedby the application association processing apparatus.

This embodiment of the present invention provides an applicationassociation processing method. The application association processingapparatus detects a first operation instruction entered by a user; andwhen it is determined that the first operation instruction is toperform, by the user, a first preset operation on first contentdisplayed on a display interface, displays prompt information of secondcontent associated with the first content, where the first presetoperation is an operation gesture preset by the user, and the promptinformation is used to inform the user that an association relationshipexists between the first content and the second content, where when thefirst content is an application icon, the second content is an icon ofat least one widget included in an application corresponding to theapplication icon; or when the first content is an icon of a widget, thesecond content is an icon of an application to which the widget belongs.In this way, an association between an application icon and a widget isindicated, and prompt information is displayed, so that a userconveniently knows an association relationship between the applicationicon and the widget, and the user performs a further operation accordingto the prompt information, thereby reducing user operation complexity.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of another applicationassociation processing method according to the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 2, the method includes:

S201: An application association processing apparatus detects a secondoperation instruction entered by a user.

S202: When it is determined that the second operation instruction is toperform, by the user, a second preset operation on first contentdisplayed on a display interface, the application association processingapparatus switches the displayed first content to an editable state.

The second preset operation is an operation gesture preset for switchingthe first content to the editable state. For example, the second presetoperation may be a pressing operation exceeding preset duration. Forexample, the user presses a widget icon, a widget, or an applicationicon for more than three seconds, and all applications on the page onthe application association processing apparatus enter an editable mode,or only the widget icon, the widget, or the application icon enters aneditable mode. In this embodiment, an example in which there is only thewidget icon, the widget, or the application icon is used fordescription, but does not constitute any limitation.

The editable mode refers to that the widget icon, the widget, or theapplication icon can be deleted or moved, or may merely be a premode forsearching for associated second content in this embodiment, and theeditable state may specifically be a capturing state, that is, an iconenters a floating state after being pressed for a long time.

S203: The application association processing apparatus detects a firstoperation instruction entered by the user for the first content in theeditable state.

It should be noted that the first operation instruction that is detectedby the application association processing apparatus when the firstcontent is in the editable state is specific to the first content.

S204: When it is determined that the first operation instruction is toperform, by the user, a first preset operation on the first contentdisplayed on the display interface, the application associationprocessing apparatus determines, according to an application packagefile, second content that has an association relationship with the firstcontent, and displays prompt information of the second content.

The first content is an application icon, and the second content is anicon of at least one widget included in an application corresponding tothe application icon; or the first content is an icon of a widget, andthe second content is an icon of an application to which the widgetbelongs. The application package file is a source file of the firstcontent and the second content, for example, both the first content andthe second content run on the application association processingapparatus after the application package file is decompressed andinstalled.

It should be noted that the first preset operation may be a slidingoperation within a preset area surrounding the first content. Forexample, a start point of a sliding operation is at a position of thefirst content; or a fixed point of a sliding operation is at a positionof the first content, and a sliding point is at any position within thepreset area surrounding the first content. These operations have beendescribed in detail in the foregoing embodiment, and details are notdescribed herein again. It should be noted that, if the user presses awidget icon, a widget, or an application icon for more than presetduration, all applications on the page on the application associationprocessing apparatus enter the editable mode. Preferably, the firstpreset operation is set to be similar to the foregoing two types ofoperations; in this way, the application association processingapparatus can conveniently determine the first content on which anoperation needs to be performed. In a case in which the user presses awidget icon, a widget, or an application icon for more than presetduration, and only the first content enters the editable mode, the firstpreset operation may further be the following several operation manners.

For example, the user performs a click operation, for example, onefinger slides within a preset area, where the preset area is describedby using an example in the foregoing embodiment and is not describedherein again. If a touchscreen detects that a position of a touch pointformed by the finger changes, for example, a value of a horizontalcoordinate and/or a value of a vertical coordinate of the touch pointchanges, determines, according to the application package file, thesecond content that has the association relationship with the firstcontent, and displays the prompt information of the second content. Thefirst preset operation may also be set according to a position of thesingle point, for example, a sliding operation is performed on the firstcontent along a diagonal direction from the single point.

Alternatively, the user performs a zoom-in or zoom-out operation byusing at least two fingers; if the application association processingapparatus detects that positions of at least two touch points formed bythis operation change, the application association processing apparatuscontinuously detects a distance between two neighboring touch points;and if the distance increases, or the distance decreases, theapplication association processing apparatus determines, according tothe application package file, the second content that has theassociation relationship with the first content, and displays the promptinformation of the second content.

Further, if the user slides within a preset area by using at least threefingers, changes of positions of at least three touch points aredetected, a size of an area surrounded by all the touch points isdetermined according to the changes of the positions, and if the sizeincreases or decreases, the second content that has the associationrelationship with the first content is determined according to theapplication package file, and the prompt information of the secondcontent is displayed.

It should be noted that, it may be defined that the foregoing operationsare performed within preset duration, for example, if the secondoperation instruction detected within 3 seconds conforms to one of theforegoing second preset operations, the prompt information of the secondcontent associated with the first content may be displayed.

Further, the application association processing apparatus may display,in a form of a floating window, the prompt information of the secondcontent associated with the first content.

It should be noted that, in addition to determining the second contentthat has the association relationship with the first content accordingto the application package file, it may be further determined, accordingto buffered information about the first content and buffered applicationinformation corresponding to the second content, such as a widgetattribute and an application attribute, or in another manner, whetherthe first content is associated with the second content.

This embodiment of the present invention provides an applicationassociation processing method. The application association processingapparatus detects a first operation instruction entered by a user; andwhen it is determined that the first operation instruction is toperform, by the user, a first preset operation on first contentdisplayed on a display interface, displays prompt information of secondcontent associated with the first content, where the first presetoperation is an operation gesture preset by the user, and the promptinformation is used to inform the user that an association relationshipexists between the first content and the second content, where when thefirst content is an application icon, the second content is an icon ofat least one widget included in an application corresponding to theapplication icon; or when the first content is an icon of a widget, thesecond content is an icon of an application to which the widget belongs.In this way, an association between an application icon and a widget isindicated, and prompt information is displayed, so that a userconveniently knows an association relationship between the applicationicon and the widget, and the user performs a further operation accordingto the prompt information, thereby reducing user operation complexity.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of still another applicationassociation processing method according to the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 3, after S204, the method further includes:

S205: The application association processing apparatus detects a thirdoperation instruction entered by the user.

S206: When it is determined that the third operation instruction is toperform, by the user, a third preset operation on the displayed promptinformation of the second content, the application associationprocessing apparatus displays the second content on the displayinterface.

Further, the third preset operation is an operation gesture preset fordisplaying the second content. For example, the third preset operationmay be at least one tap operation on the second content, for example, atap or double-tap operation or the like performed on a widget icon or anapplication icon on a floating window.

It should be noted that after the user executes the third operationinstruction, the application association processing apparatus displaysthe second content on the interface. If the second content is anapplication icon, the application icon is displayed on a desktop, or anapplication program corresponding to the application icon is entered. Ifthe second content is an icon of a widget, a visual window of the widgetmay be displayed on a desktop.

This embodiment of the present invention provides an applicationassociation processing method. The application association processingapparatus detects a first operation instruction entered by a user; andwhen it is determined that the first operation instruction is toperform, by the user, a first preset operation on first contentdisplayed on a display interface, displays prompt information of secondcontent associated with the first content, where the first presetoperation is an operation gesture preset by the user, and the promptinformation is used to inform the user that an association relationshipexists between the first content and the second content, where when thefirst content is an application icon, the second content is an icon ofat least one widget included in an application corresponding to theapplication icon; or when the first content is an icon of a widget, thesecond content is an icon of an application to which the widget belongs.In this way, an association between an application icon and a widget isindicated, and prompt information is displayed, so that a userconveniently knows an association relationship between the applicationicon and the widget, and the user performs a further operation accordingto the prompt information, thereby reducing user operation complexity.

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of anapplication association processing apparatus according to the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 4, the application association processingapparatus 4 includes:

a first detection unit 401, configured to detect a first operationinstruction entered by a user; and

a first processing unit 402, configured to: when it is determined thatthe first operation instruction is to perform, by the user, a firstpreset operation on first content displayed on a display interface,display prompt information of second content associated with the firstcontent, where the first preset operation is an operation gesture presetby the user, and the prompt information is used to inform the user thatan association relationship exists between the first content and thesecond content, where

the first content is an application icon, and the second content is anicon of at least one widget included in an application corresponding tothe application icon; or the first content is a widget icon, and thesecond content is an icon of an application to which the widget belongs.

Further, the first processing unit 402 may be configured to display, ina form of a floating window, the prompt information of the secondcontent associated with the first content.

For example, the first preset operation may be a sliding operationwithin a preset area surrounding the first content. The slidingoperation is an operation that uses, as a start point, a position atwhich the first content is located; or the sliding operation is anoperation that uses, as a fixed point, a position at which the firstcontent is located, and uses a preset area surrounding the first contentas a sliding area.

It should be noted that the first preset operation has been described byusing an example in the foregoing embodiments, and details are notdescribed herein again.

Further, FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment ofanother application association processing apparatus according to thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the application associationprocessing apparatus 4 further includes:

a second detection unit 403, configured to: before the first detectionunit 401 detects the first operation instruction entered by the user,detect a second operation instruction entered by the user; and

a second processing unit 404, configured to: when the second operationinstruction is to perform, by the user, a second preset operation on thefirst content displayed on the display interface, switch the displayedfirst content to an editable state, where the second preset operation isan operation gesture preset for switching the first content to theeditable state.

The second preset operation may be a pressing operation exceeding presetduration.

It should be noted that the second preset operation has been describedby using an example in the foregoing embodiments, and details are notdescribed herein again.

In this case, the first detection unit 401 may be configured to detectthe first operation instruction entered by the user for the firstcontent in the editable state, so that, if it is determined that thefirst operation instruction is to perform, by the user, the first presetoperation on the first content displayed on the display interface, thefirst processing unit 402 displays the prompt information of the secondcontent associated with the first content.

For example, the first processing unit 402 may be configured to: if itis determined that the first operation instruction is to perform, by theuser, the first preset operation on the first content displayed on thedisplay interface, determine, according to an application package file,the second content that has the association relationship with the firstcontent, and display the prompt information of the second content, wherethe application package file is a source file of the first content andthe second content.

Further, FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment ofstill another application association processing apparatus according tothe present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the application associationprocessing apparatus further includes:

a third detection unit 405, configured to detect a third operationinstruction entered by the user; and

a third processing unit 406, configured to: when it is determined thatthe third operation instruction is to perform, by the user, a thirdpreset operation on the displayed prompt information of the secondcontent, display the second content on the display interface, where thethird preset operation is an operation gesture preset for displaying thesecond content.

The third preset operation may be at least one tap operation on thesecond content, for example, a tap or double-tap operation or the like.

It should be noted that the third preset operation has been described byusing an example in the foregoing embodiments, and details are notdescribed herein again.

The application association processing apparatus 4 may work by using themethods provided by the foregoing embodiments, and details are notdescribed herein again.

This embodiment of the present invention provides an applicationassociation processing apparatus. The application association processingapparatus detects a first operation instruction entered by a user; andwhen it is determined that the first operation instruction is toperform, by the user, a first preset operation on first contentdisplayed on a display interface, displays prompt information of secondcontent associated with the first content, where the first presetoperation is an operation gesture preset by the user, and the promptinformation is used to inform the user that an association relationshipexists between the first content and the second content, where when thefirst content is an application icon, the second content is an icon ofat least one widget included in an application corresponding to theapplication icon; or when the first content is an icon of a widget, thesecond content is an icon of an application to which the widget belongs.In this way, an association between an application icon and a widget isindicated, and prompt information is displayed, so that a userconveniently knows an association relationship between the applicationicon and the widget, and the user performs a further operation accordingto the prompt information, thereby reducing user operation complexity.

A person of ordinary skill in the art may understand that all or some ofthe steps of the method embodiments may be implemented by a programinstructing relevant hardware. The program may be stored in acomputer-readable storage medium. When the program runs, the steps ofthe method embodiments are performed. The foregoing storage mediumincludes: any medium that can store program code, such as a ROM, a RAM,a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

Finally, it should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are merelyintended for describing the technical solutions of the presentinvention, rather than limiting the present invention. Although thepresent invention is described in detail with reference to the foregoingembodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat they may still make modifications to the technical solutionsdescribed in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent replacementsto some or all technical features thereof, as long as such modificationsor replacements do not cause the essence of corresponding technicalsolutions to depart from the scope of the technical solutions of theembodiments of the present invention.

1. A method for displaying content, comprising: displaying anapplication icon on a screen of a mobile device, wherein the applicationicon corresponds to an application program installed on the mobiledevice; detecting a first gesture performed on the application icon; inresponse to detecting the first gesture, switching the application iconto an editable state, wherein the editable state corresponds to at leastone of a floating state, a premode for searching for an associatedwidget icon, or a state where the application icon can be deleted ormoved; detecting a second gesture while the application icon is in theeditable state; in response to detecting the second gesture, displayinga first widget icon in a floating window, wherein the first widget iconcorresponds to a first widget corresponding to the application program;detecting a third gesture performed on the first widget icon; and inresponse to detecting the third gesture, displaying the first widget asa first visual window on a desktop of the mobile device, wherein thefirst widget displays data corresponding to a first part of theapplication program's functionality.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first gesture is a pressing operation exceeding a preset duration.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first widget icon corresponds to athumbnail, a partial screenshot, or a framework icon of the firstwidget.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining,according to a package file of the application program, the first widgeticon which corresponds to the first widget corresponding to theapplication program.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the floatingwindow further comprises a second widget icon, wherein the second widgeticon corresponds to a second widget corresponding to the applicationprogram.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein opening the applicationprogram via the application icon provides full access to the applicationprogram's functionality.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein theapplication program is a weather forecast application and the firstvisual window displays a temperature of a current day.
 8. A mobiledevice, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processorand having processor-executable instructions stored thereon; wherein theprocessor is configured to execute the processor-executable instructionsto facilitate the following being performed by the mobile device;displaying an application icon on a screen of the mobile device, whereinthe application icon corresponds to an application program installed onthe mobile device; detecting a first gesture performed on theapplication icon; in response to detecting the first gesture, switchingthe application icon to an editable state, wherein the editable statecorresponds to at least one of a floating state, a premode for searchingfor an associated widget icon, or a state where the application icon canbe deleted or moved; detecting a second gesture while the applicationicon is in the editable state; in response to detecting the secondgesture, displaying a first widget icon in a floating window, whereinthe first widget icon corresponds to a first widget corresponding to theapplication program; detecting a third gesture performed on the firstwidget icon; and in response to detecting the third gesture, displayingthe first widget as a first visual window on a desktop of the mobiledevice, wherein the first widget displays data corresponding to a firstpart of the application program's functionality.
 9. The mobile device ofclaim 8, wherein the first gesture is a pressing operation exceeding apreset duration.
 10. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the firstwidget icon corresponds to a thumbnail, a partial screenshot, or aframework icon of the first widget.
 11. The mobile device of claim 8,further comprising: determining, according to a package file of theapplication program, the first widget icon which corresponds to thefirst widget corresponding to the application program.
 12. The mobiledevice of claim 8, wherein the floating window further comprises asecond widget icon, wherein the second widget icon corresponds to asecond widget corresponding to the application program.
 13. The mobiledevice of claim 8, wherein opening the application program via theapplication icon provides full access to the application program'sfunctionality.
 14. The mobile device of claim 8, wherein the applicationprogram is a weather forecast application and the first visual windowdisplays a temperature of a current day.
 15. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having processor-executableinstructions stored thereon, wherein the processor-executableinstructions, when executed, facilitate: displaying an application iconon a screen of a mobile device, wherein the application icon correspondsto an application program installed on the mobile device; detecting afirst gesture performed on the application icon; in response todetecting the first gesture, switching the application icon to aneditable state, wherein the editable state corresponds to at least oneof a floating state, a premode for searching for an associated widgeticon, or a state where the application icon can be deleted or moved;detecting a second gesture while the application icon is in the editablestate; in response to detecting the second gesture, displaying a firstwidget icon in a floating window, wherein the first widget iconcorresponds to a first widget corresponding to the application program;detecting a third gesture performed on the first widget icon; and inresponse to detecting the third gesture, displaying the first widget asa first visual window on a desktop of the mobile device, wherein thefirst widget displays data corresponding to a first part of theapplication program's functionality.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the first gestureis a pressing operation exceeding a preset duration.
 17. Thenon-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein thefirst widget icon corresponds to a thumbnail, a partial screenshot, or aframework icon of the first widget.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 15, further comprising:determining, according to a package file of the application program, thefirst widget icon which corresponds to the first widget corresponding tothe application program.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 15, wherein the floating window furthercomprises a second widget icon, wherein the second widget iconcorresponds to a second widget corresponding to the application program.20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15,wherein opening the application program via the application iconprovides full access to the application program's functionality.